Historic Santa Ysabel Store Full of Surprises

With a moose on the porch and an elk in the backyard, you can be sure to find something that tickles your fancy in this store. Photos by Jim Evans

By Jim Evans

It still looks like a traditional general store of the late 1800s from the outside, which makes sense, because the Santa Ysabel General Store on Highway 78 was, and still is, a general store. It was built in 1884, and during the past hundred-plus years has operated as a post office, barbershop, feed store and stagecoach stop, among other things.

How much more “general” can you get? Try a lot more general — in fact, a lot more of everything! The two almost-life-size solid bronze moose on the front porch are a dead giveaway that something is different.

The store now carries the additional moniker of “antiques” on its sign and is called Santa Ysabel General Store Antiques, thanks to new owner Patricia McConnel, who has brought a wealth of exciting ideas to the small but burgeoning Santa Ysabel business community.

McConnel, who purchased the historic building — one of the oldest in San Diego County — in January is a nationally recognized artist specializing in stained glass and custom paintings, so visitors can expect to see her artwork prominently displayed throughout the store.

Some of her most distinctive work is displayed in the Billings Sheraton Hotel in Montana, in the form of eight large 8-foot by 10-foot stained glass windows and a 10-foot by 30-foot skylight depicting an Old West theme.

“The skylight was too large to finish as one piece, so we had to complete it in several separate stained glass sections,” McConnel said. The artist owned a prosperous gallery in Billings for several years before returning to her hometown of Valley Center.

McConnel has a general degree from Palomar College, a bachelor of arts degree in education from SDSU, and a master of fine arts degree — also from SDSU — and her artwork has been commissioned throughout the United States.

She plans to feature original paintings in oil or acrylics of the local back country at the store in the coming months.

“Civilization is encroaching on this beautiful area,” McConnel said. “I want to capture the spirit of the flora and fauna, the lakes, the trees, the wildlife, and all of nature before it is too late.”

She is available for commissioning to create stained glass windows and murals to order.

In addition to her artwork, McConnel has expanded the general scope of her store to include quality antiques: oak, pine and hardwood furniture; collectibles in china, porcelain and stoneware; Sky Valley Farms soaps and lotions; estate and costume jewelry; gift items such as M.A. Hadley Pottery, Bennington Pottery and McCalls Candles; Western/cowboy items; a garden center featuring live plants, garden furniture and gardening accessories; and much more.

The word “general” has taken on a whole new meaning at the store because everything is bigger, better and a lot more interesting. Somehow, the old saying “shop ’til you drop” comes to mind.

McConnel lives in Santa Ysabel, and her son, Morgan Daniels, recently graduated from Valley Center High School, where he was a highly ranked tennis player.

The new Santa Ysabel General Store Antiques is open six days a week (closed Tuesdays) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located on the crossroads of Highways 78 and 79 in Santa Ysabel, it’s easy to find — just look for the moose on the front porch.

For further information, call (760) 765-1139.